Mooney needs to go

[ZosoCat]

He has a great run the last 10 years at the GFC but surely he must announce his retirement mid season or sooner.. He gambled on playing in 2011 and it seems as if that gamble didn't pay off.

He was shot by september last year and he is already pulling out of games because of soreness. Is there any point in him going on if he can't play a full game and be useful to us? We do have enough goal kickers without him also..

don't get me wrong he has been one of fav players over the stretch but I think it's time for a retirement. Honestly, I don't see us having a chance winning a flag this year if he is our full forward/CHF.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: Moons needs to go...

While I agree going on was the wrong decision, I wouldn't blame him entirely. There's a fair chance that given their lack of confidence in Hawkins form and foot injuries, and major concerns over Brown's future (remember he did the shoulder again late last year) that even if they didn't explicitly ask him to play on, they were certainly happy for him to do so. I think it's only fair to say both parties got the call wrong.

As to what happens now, it's difficult. I agree that we can cope without Moons, and he shouldn't play in his current physical state.

That said, I wouldn't expect a retirement, because we're likely to finish top four, we're contending for a flag, and he knows that if Pods or Hawkins get an LTI, he's straight in, poor body state or not. He ain't going to announce his retirement for that reason, however small the chance of that happening may be.

What I do think must happen is he and Scott have to have a heart to heart, and as a result Mooney needs to stop putting his hand up for selection, be prepared to act as a 2nds mentor and backup, and he plays only if we get a run of injuries. If that's the way they go I'm fine with it.

 

[Dr Rosenpenis]

Re: Moons needs to go...

Yeah good call PO. IIRC Scotty Lucas retired (or was 'retired') before the season was out. Then Lloyd got suspended I think just before the finals and the Bombers were left without a KPF.

Moons is probably better used in that mentor role, ready to play his part if/when required.

 

[Craigyboy]

Re: Moons needs to go...

While I agree going on was the wrong decision, I wouldn't blame him entirely. There's a fair chance that given their lack of confidence in Hawkins form and foot injuries, and major concerns over Brown's future (remember he did the shoulder again late last year) that even if they didn't explicitly ask him to play on, they were certainly happy for him to do so. I think it's only fair to say both parties got the call wrong.

As to what happens now, it's difficult. I agree that we can cope without Moons, and he shouldn't play in his current physical state.

That said, I wouldn't expect a retirement, because we're likely to finish top four, we're contending for a flag, and he knows that if Pods or Hawkins get an LTI, he's straight in, poor body state or not. He ain't going to announce his retirement for that reason, however small the chance of that happening may be.

What I do think must happen is he and Scott have to have a heart to heart, and as a result Mooney needs to stop putting his hand up for selection, be prepared to act as a 2nds mentor and backup, and he plays only if we get a run of injuries. If that's the way they go I'm fine with it.

Top post PO, this sums it up well.

He deserves at least to be given the opportunity to bow out gracefully at the end of the year. He will leave the game as a triple premiership player (at least) and one of the key components in our revival as a club. As a mentor; Moons would have a lot to offer a young footballer.

 

[Hinkley29]

Re: Moons needs to go...

What would be the benefit of him retiring mid season?

 

[ZosoCat]

Re: Moons needs to go...

What would be the benefit of him retiring mid season?

while a retirement maybe a little over the top i do agree with the other posters that he has to step back and demand a smaller role in the team and club this year.

 

[vinum coupe]

Crazy thread

 

[Baudolino]

I love Mooney, but as harsh as it may sound, the OP is right, he needs to go. It's easy to be sentimental when you're 5-0 and second on the ladder, but if anything that's an extra incentive to at least scale Moons back to a mentoring role. I do not want to still be talking about his waning abilities come round 24 - at the moment, all our older guys, with one exception, look physically durable, in form, and clearly able to compete at the top level. We know that can't last forever, but we don't want all their careers petering out at once...so when we have an opportunity to let an unfortunately over-the-hill veteran go, we should take it (well, Mooney should preferably retire himself).

He's certainly our most replaceable veteran. 1.5-2 goals a game has always been his average return per season. Arguably we don't need all three of Hawkins, Pods and Mooney anyway, but he's also blocking the progress of Brown and Vardy - arguably our two best young prospects - so it's not like we don't have depth in his position. I reckon some extra responsibility around the ground for Hawkins (as second ruck, and lead-up forward) will be a good thing anyway.

His footspeed is just deplorable at the moment, and although it's sad to say, he's just a liability when you consider he offers nothing Pods and Hawkins can't any more, even as an auxillary playmaker

 

[cynical]

should just be used as a backup to hawkins, pods, brown, vardy, west

 

[CF]

He wont play the every game this year but will probably named in quite a few. This is definitely his last season. I think Moons still has a role to play and if we get some injuries to others he will be a much needed back up player. Expect him to play various positions when he plays not just forward. No point keeping him as a pure forward because we need to use the players that are going forward into next season and beyond. We need to build the forward line structure around the players of the future, not the past.

There is a role for moons this year in the team so it is good to have him around. If he gets some kind of severe injury during the season that would be the end of his career. But he may not officially retire even then as having him on a long term injury list means we can elevate a rookie.

 

[Hinkley29]

Re: Moons needs to go...

while a retirement maybe a little over the top......

Then why open the thread with:

"He has a great run the last 10 years at the GFC but surely he must announce his retirement mid season or sooner......"

 

[vinum coupe]

Oh ok. So Moons has missed 2 games this year.
Yet Vardy and Brown still haven't played a game.

Yep big road block there.


It is round 5 kiddies. If Moons can't get back in because someone is keeping him out then all well and good. But we aren't playing finals in 2 weeks so it is absolutely pointless to tell him he no longer has the opportunity / possibility to grab a senior role.

I hope that none of you guys have a managerial role. Or your employer is being royally screwed by incompetence at a senior level.

 

[ZosoCat]

Crazy thread

we got where we are as a club today by making tough unselfish decisions why not continue?

to the pOSTER who questioned my thread title well i will say it again.. maybe i was over the top with my thinking but either way surely we can't expect to win a flag with him on the field this year?

I hope he proves me wrong...

 

[ATSAM]

PO has got it right he needs to be kept on for the year. His big body and hardness at the ball coudl well be critical at the end of the season and in finals. And don't forget that he will always take one/two of the defenders-if he is up forward and vice versa if at the other end- when he is on the ground, that is worth quite a lot.
Can't beat experience.

 

[Hinkley29]

we got where we are as a club today by making tough unselfish decisions why not continue?

to the pOSTER who questioned my thread title well i will say it again.. maybe i was over the top with my thinking but either way surely we can't expect to win a flag with him on the field this year?

I hope he proves me wrong...

Everyone on here hopes that our team is going so well that Moons is redundant. I don't think anyone here is questioning your contention that it would be best for the team if we are going well enough that we can't find a spot for him.

But when you come on here and insist that a club stalwart "surely must announce his retirement mid season or sooner" when there is no benefit in doing so, then you have to expect a bit of a backlash.

You didn't state that he should be playing second fiddle to other players, or that he should have to earn his spot in the team. You categorically stated that he was of no value and should retire (basically immediately).

Your comments weren't ambiguous. Don't backpedal now. Leave that shit for Mike Sheahan.

 

[Partridge]

PO has got it right he needs to be kept on for the year. His big body and hardness at the ball coudl well be critical at the end of the season and in finals. And don't forget that he will always take one/two of the defenders-if he is up forward and vice versa if at the other end- when he is on the ground, that is worth quite a lot.
Can't beat experience.

You can when that experience can't run, mark, or kick straight. Which is unpleasantly close to what Mooney is becoming.

PO might have it correct, they'll keep him on the list in case of injury. But he's in trouble. If Brown and Vardy keep kicking goals in the seconds they could well sneak past him.

 

[Scottland2007]

Do you not want to see him stretcher off Shaw, O'Brien and Thomas in a grand final?

 

[STC]

Re: Moons needs to go...

No reason for Moons to retire midseason, better to keep him on the list and have him there as insurance.

 

[Exhale You]

Pretty ordinary, OP, to be honest.

He obviously hasn't had a great start to the year and it can be argued that perhaps he went on one year too long but to catergorically state that he 'must' retire within the next 6 weeks is not only reactionary and unfair, but totally disrespectful towards a player who has been a wonderful servant and key player throughout our run of success.

It's Cameron's decision (along with the list management team) and short of his body giving up on him, it'll be a decision made at the appropriate time, ie. near seasons end.

 

[Premiers2007]

Re: Moons needs to go...

No reason for Moons to retire midseason, better to keep him on the list and have him there as insurance.

This. I must admit I was pleased when he was a late exclusion on Tuesday as his kicking seems to be getting worse each year. Seems to be worse on the big stage too.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Mooney's statements at the start of the year give me every confidence that he will play the good soldier, if that's what the club wants.

I assume that heart-to-heart has already happened, I'm sure Scott has told Moons that they're not going to play him, Pods and Hawkins in the forward line, which explains him being thrown around in defence and as a backup ruck. Whatever happens for the rest of the year, he'll retire as a 200 game, AA, multiple premiership player. A great of the club.

 

[re cat]

Oh ok. So Moons has missed 2 games this year.
Yet Vardy and Brown still haven't played a game.

Yep big road block there.


It is round 5 kiddies. If Moons can't get back in because someone is keeping him out then all well and good. But we aren't playing finals in 2 weeks so it is absolutely pointless to tell him he no longer has the opportunity / possibility to grab a senior role.

I hope that none of you guys have a managerial role. Or your employer is being royally screwed by incompetence at a senior level.

Totally agree with you VC.

Looks like there aren't too many other thongs to complain about.

The club want moons to play 15- 16 good games and he has played a ruck/forward/defender role already this year.

 

[vinum coupe]

Totally agree with you VC.

Looks like there aren't too many other thongs to complain about.

The club want moons to play 15- 16 good games and he has played a ruck/forward/defender role already this year.

There are plenty.
Lace are harder to get off I find. They lack elasticity.

 

[ElCat]

Hi all, don't post much myself, but avid reader.

On this topic: people should listen to Cam's discussion on SEN the other day.
http://www.sen.com.au/audioplayer/Audio/The-Centre-Square-with-Cameron-Mooney-Part-One/2213

He is well aware of where he fits in the scheme of things.

The team needs depth. It's a long year and the sub rule isn't making things any easier. We need a hardy player like Mooney in the trenches.

 

[kanyewest]

Thanks for the link ElCat. Actually saw him outside the studio just before this interview!

He obviously hasn't had a great start to the year and it can be argued that perhaps he went on one year too long but to catergorically state that he 'must' retire within the next 6 weeks is not only reactionary and unfair, but totally disrespectful towards a player who has been a wonderful servant and key player throughout our run of success.

It's Cameron's decision (along with the list management team) and short of his body giving up on him, it'll be a decision made at the appropriate time, ie. near seasons end.

Completely agree. Don't understand why some want to push him out the door rather than hoping he can fight on and make a contribution to the team at some time during the year. Moons has been one of the best to watch over these last few years, and I for one hope to see him out there again.